National Maritime Museum Cornwall

National Maritime Museum Cornwall stands on Discovery Quay at the head of Falmouth harbour and is one of the county's biggest indoor attractions. Fifteen galleries tell the story of boats and the sea, built around the National Small Boat Collection, with a hall of vessels suspended from the ceiling, Cornish maritime history, a Tidal Zone where windows below the waterline look into the harbour, and a 100 foot Look Out tower with views across the Carrick Roads and the docks. There are family activities throughout the year, a working boatbuilding workshop where volunteers restore and reconstruct craft, and a changing programme of major exhibitions; the current one, SURF!, celebrates wave riding in Cornwall and runs until January 2027, alongside an autumn lecture series and October half term and Halloween events. Admission is valid for a whole year, so a ticket bought on a rainy day pays off on return visits. On site are a cafe, a shop and the Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library for anyone researching ships or seafaring ancestors. The museum opens daily, and a full visit with the tower and Tidal Zone takes two to three hours. It is a short walk from the town centre and Falmouth Town station, and it suits families, sailors and anyone with an interest in boats or Cornish history.

Good to know

• Fifteen galleries housing the National Small Boat Collection on Discovery Quay
• 100 foot Look Out tower and an underwater Tidal Zone looking into the harbour
• Admission valid for a year of return visits
• Cafe, shop and the Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library on site
• SURF! exhibition runs until January 2027
• Open daily

Address: Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3QY.

Official site: National Maritime Museum Cornwall website.